Casio CZ-101

It's small, it's cheap, and it's good! This is the pea-size version of
the CZ-1000 with a mini-keyboard. The CZ-101
is a digital synth and although the programming is somewhat limited
there are plenty of analog-like traits and sounds to interest most
anybody. It has a good 8-stage envelope design and uses Phase Distortion
(PD) synthesis which gives it some pretty great sounds. The sounds are
very similar to the Yamaha DX synthesizers, and they're much more
affordable. PD is Casio's own take on digital synthesis from the
mid-eighties and is found in all of their CZ series. You basically
modify digital waveforms (it has eight basic wave types, e.g. sine waves) to create various sounds. It can
create wild new sounds, notably percussive sounds. But it's not too easy
to program if you don't know much about waveform theory and design.

Make no mistake, the CZ-101 is no toy although it can be considered very
entry level. Three sets of 8-stage envelope sections are used to
modulate your sounds extensively. The first is used to modify the DCO
pitches over time. Another 8-stage envelope section in the DCW is used
to modify the Phase Angle over time (like filtering). Finally the DCA
amplifier also has an 8-stage envelope to modify the volume of sounds
over time. For further tweaking the CZ-101 employs some surprisingly
analog effects. Four types of Vibrato make up a simple LFO-type section
with triangle, square, ramp up or down waveforms as well as rate, depth
and delay settings. Portamento adds that classic glide effect from one
note to the next. Double up on the oscillators with 4-note polyphony.
Built-in noise and ring modulation. It's also MIDI equipped with 4
monophonic multitimbral parts. However, with only 32 patches (16 preset,
16 user) storage is a bit slim.

The CZ-1000 is a full-size keyboard version
of the CZ-101 for a slightly more practical edge. Later CZ-series models
like the CZ-3000 and CZ-5000 used this new Phase Distortion synthesis
in more professional instruments. But none are as small and portable as
the CZ-101 is! It can even be strapped on like a guitar and run on
battery power. The CZ-101 has been used by Cirrus, Moby, Jimi Tenor,
Vince Clarke, Jimmy Edgar, and They Might Be Giants.